Earl A. Zubke

Earl A. Zubke, 83 of Watertown, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2023, at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center of Johnson Creek.

Earl was born April 23, 1940, on the family homestead in Lebanon, the son of Edward Martin Sr. and Ida Louise Clara (Wagner) Zubke. On September 19, 1964, Earl married the love of his life, Sue Winter, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ixonia. He proudly operated his family farm, drove milk truck for Rock Cheese Factory for over 16 years, and worked at the Target Distribution Center for 13 years. Prior to retirement, Earl worked at Hidden Meadows in the water treatment plant for six years.  He was a lifetime member of the Watertown Turner Association and the Plattdeutscher Verein, was involved in the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department and was a flag bearer for the Lebanon Band Honor Guard. Earl enjoyed playing softball and dartball for many years and loved watching his beloved New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. True to his nature, Earl never stopped being an incredibly hardworking and dedicated man who took pride in providing for the family he held so dear. Above all else, he loved to be surrounded by his family and friends, and cherished every moment spent with them. He was looking forward to Hayley and Connor’s wedding in September so he and Sue could “Waltz Across Texas” together. Earl loved big, had a heart of gold and will be deeply missed by those he leaves behind.  The world has suffered a great loss while heaven has gained one of the best.

Earl is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sue; children Brenda (Mark) Hollenbeck, Brian (Jayne Peter) Zubke, Kevin (Kristi) Zubke, Kyle (Courtnie) Zubke; grandchildren Melissa (Dustin) Koenigs, Derek Hollenbeck, Spencer Hollenbeck, Brandon (Bre) Zubke, Hayley (Connor Zirpel) Zubke, Payton (Jacob Neitzel) Zubke, BriAnna (Steve Jr.) Arndt, Chassia Zubke, Nora Zubke, Cam Fischer, Nathan Peter and Jason Peter; great-grandchildren Raymond, Ava, Zackery, and Lincoln Koenigs, Emmalynn and Elizabeth Zubke, Odyssah Gable, Zyilah Arndt; and brother Edward (Shirley) Zubke. Earl is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, and friends.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, donation’s in Earl’s name to Rainbow Hospice, the Elk’s, the Kyle Kuehl Memorial Scholarship Fund, or to a charity of one’s choice would be deeply appreciated by the family.

A private family service will be held at a later date. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Sugar Island Barn in Sugar Island, WI.